Nursing Elites

1. A 75-year-old client, hospitalized with a cerebral vascular accident (stroke), becomes disoriented at times and tries to get out of bed but is unable to ambulate without help. What is the most appropriate safety measure?

• A. Restrain the client in bed
• B. Ask a family member to stay with the client
• C. Check the client every 15 minutes
• D. Use a bed exit safety monitoring device

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the most appropriate safety measure in this scenario. Using a bed exit safety monitoring device allows the client to retain some independence while ensuring that the nursing staff is alerted when assistance is needed. This solution promotes client safety without compromising their autonomy. Option A, restraining the client in bed, can lead to increased agitation, confusion, and a loss of independence. Option B, asking a family member to stay with the client, shifts the responsibility away from the healthcare team. Option C, checking the client every 15 minutes, is not a sufficient safety measure as the client could attempt to get out of bed in the unobserved interval, risking falls and injury.

2. The nurse is taking an initial blood pressure reading on a 72-year-old patient with documented hypertension. How should the nurse proceed?

• A. Cuff should be placed on the patient's arm and inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
• B. Cuff should be inflated to 200 mm Hg in an attempt to obtain the most accurate systolic reading.
• C. Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the patient's pulse rate.
• D. After confirming the patient's previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, it's important to account for the possibility of an auscultatory gap, which occurs in about 5% of individuals, particularly those with hypertension due to a noncompliant arterial system. To detect an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears. This ensures an accurate measurement of blood pressure by overcoming the potential gap in sounds. Choice A is correct as it follows this guideline. Choices B and C are incorrect because inflating the cuff to 200 mm Hg or above the patient's pulse rate does not address the specific issue of an auscultatory gap. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the patient's previous readings rather than the current measurement technique needed to detect an auscultatory gap.

3. What is the primary purpose of emergency planning?

• A. Comply with the laws of the state.
• B. Comply with the laws of the U.S.
• C. Comply with both state and U.S. laws
• D. Maintain safety

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The primary purpose of emergency planning is to ensure and maintain the safety of people and the preservation of objects, such as buildings and personal possessions during emergencies or disasters. While compliance with state and federal laws regarding emergency planning is important, the main goal is to prioritize life and safety. Choices A, B, and C focus on legal compliance, which is necessary but secondary to the fundamental objective of safeguarding lives and property in emergency situations.

4. Who is the center of care?

• A. The doctor
• B. The administrator
• C. The patient
• D. The nurse

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The PATIENT is the center of care and the core of the healthcare team. The PATIENT holds the utmost importance within the healthcare setting. Healthcare professionals collaborate as a team to effectively address the needs of the patient. The primary focus should always be on the patient, who plays a crucial role in decision-making. While other healthcare team members, such as doctors, nurses, and administrators, play vital roles, the patient remains the central figure. The patient has the fundamental right to receive quality care from all members of the healthcare team.

5. When measuring the vital signs of a 6-month-old infant, which action by the nurse is correct?

• A. Respirations are measured first, followed by pulse and temperature.
• B. Vital signs should be measured as frequently as in an adult.
• C. Procedures are explained to the parent, and the infant is encouraged to handle the equipment.
• D. The nurse should first measure the infant's vital signs before performing a physical examination.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing vital signs in a 6-month-old infant, the correct order is to measure respirations first, followed by pulse and temperature. This sequence is important to avoid potential alterations in respiratory and pulse rates caused by factors like crying or discomfort. Measuring the temperature first, especially rectally, may lead to an increase in respiratory and pulse rates, which can skew the results. It is crucial to follow this specific order to obtain accurate baseline values. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B is incorrect as the frequency of measuring vital signs in infants differs based on individual needs rather than being consistently more frequent than in adults. Option C is not directly related to the correct sequence for measuring vital signs in infants. Option D is incorrect because the physical examination typically follows the assessment of vital signs in clinical practice.

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